It is with the deepest of sadness we announce the passing of Benjamin Lewis Fenton Robertson. Dad passed as he spent his days, quietly and gracefully, with his loving family around him.
Born in Dundee, Scotland, the 10th of 11 children, he married his beloved Jessie Cumming Thompson while serving in the RAF. Together they had 4 children, Jacqui, Ian, Kevin and Duncan.
Ben had always yearned to spread his wings, and he brought his family to Kamloops in 1975, to join his older brother Bill, his wife Norma and son Grant, where he continued the family trade as a painter and decorator, setting up his business Mayfair Painting.
Ben added the touches that completed many of the premier properties that were built in and around Kamloops from the mid-1970’s until passing.
Ben and Jessie became involved in the Kamloops sport scene, refereeing and coaching soccer.
The wild then beckoned and they moved to Eagle Island Resort for 3 years, to fulfil a dream of living closer to nature. Ben took to the Canadian lifestyle with relish, enjoying hunting, fishing on occasion when not gathering firewood and being the handyman extraordinaire.
The family returned to Kamloops in 1987, when Ben sadly lost Jessie to cancer. He continued working hard from that time, and spending much of his spare time landscaping and developing his garden, and those of his family, creating beautiful and appreciated park-like environments for the neighbours to also enjoy.
Ben loved music and spent evenings with friends, singing at karaoke, regaling the crowd with his renditions of Sinatra and the crooners. He had a great appreciation of the arts, and supported local and national artists. Ben would enjoy picking up artists’ brushes himself, even after holding a painting brush for 10 hours in the day.
Ben returned to Scotland on several occasions to spend precious time with his family. He would enjoy many a round of golf on those ancient courses, such as Carnoustie of which he was previously a member, always enjoying all she had to offer.
Tragically, in 2003, Ben lost his son Kevin. He helped to support his surviving grandchildren during that difficult time. He will be remembered for his selflessness, caring and support for the family in all times.
Ultimately, Ben was a much loved father, grand-father, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, brother in-law, friend and colleague to so many people. He wasn’t a large man, but his departing leaves a big hole in the hearts of all those he knew.
A Funeral Service for Ben will be held on Thursday, March 6th, 2014 at 11:00 am in the Kamloops Funeral Home Chapel, 285 Fortune Drive.
The family would like to thank the staff at Ponderosa for their care during Dad’s short illness.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Ben’s name would be appreciated to the Canadian Cancer Foundation.